If your pup was chomping down on their food enthusiastically not too long ago, and now they’re turning their nose up at their bowl, you might be puzzled – or even concerned – by the sudden change.

Your dog might be acting fussy because their routine – or simply their tastes – have changed. Puppies, especially, are known for going through picky phases, but older dogs can also become bored with their food. The tastes of mature pooches, on the other hand, might change due to ageing.

Here, we’ve rounded up the key reasons your furry friend might be refusing their food, along with some advice on how to make mealtimes more exciting again.

Have a Health Check

If your dog won’t eat food for over 24 hours, it’s worth booking them in for a vet check-up, to rule out any medical issues. After all, the change could be due to medical issues like digestive or dental problems, an infection, or even stress.

In the case that your dog won’t eat anything at all, keep an eye out for other symptoms too, such as vomiting or excessive sleeping. This will tip you off to the severity of the issue (and how quickly you need to react).

Build a Mealtime Routine

Super handy if your new puppy won’t eat food – but useful for adult dogs too – is having a feeding schedule. Your canine companion thrives on a set routine, so daily mealtimes would entice them to eat regularly.

Things like free feeding (leaving their full bowl out the whole day) might cause them to lose interest. So, especially if your dog won’t eat kibble anymore, it’s worth serving them a portion for a limited time (up to half an hour) and trying again next mealtime if they turn up their nose.

Make Dishes More Exciting

If your dog won’t eat what they used to devour before, try and rekindle the appeal. Gently warming up wet dog food can improve the aroma, making the food more enticing.

Meanwhile, if your dog won’t eat kibble anymore, mixing in some toppers – whether that’s plain yoghurt, dog-friendly veg, or a splash of wet food – is a nice way to encourage them back to their dry food.

Trying different textures to your pup’s usual could also be a winning strategy – whether it’s going from kibble to wet food, vice versa, or combining the two. 

Chocolate Labrador Retriever with tongue out looking at camera

Provide a Calm Setting

Their surroundings could also play a big part in why your dog won’t eat their food. If there are too many distractions, or they feel pressured by your hovering, they might get anxious and lose their appetite. Instead, try to create a positive, calm, and quiet area where your pooch can enjoy their meal.

Add an Exercise Boost

Dogs – and especially young ones – need to let out all their energy; so, if your puppy won’t eat food when it’s offered, it might be that they’re not burning off enough calories.

Regular exercise is a great way to boost your furry friend’s appetite naturally. As well as taking them for long walks, try playing with them more often, or even buying them a puzzle feeder to spark curiosity and hunger.

Avoid Frequent Swaps

While we know it’s frustrating that your dog won’t eat food they loved until recently, we recommend resisting the urge to change brands right away. Test out some of the above suggestions first, and pace the swap over a week to ten days if you do decide to change.

Finding the Right Diet

If you find yourself wondering what to feed a dog who won’t eat, we hope our guide has provided some inspiration for things to try.

Striking the right balance between consistency and excitement is key; if you’re on the lookout for a new meal to offer them, take a look at our selection of sumptuous dog food.